METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL DEFINITION OF AN OBJECT BY REFLECTOMETRY

Abstract

A method and system for scanning an outer surface of a three-dimensional object, the outer surface being reflective, the method comprising the following steps: (a) projecting a light pattern on the object with a relative movement between the light pattern and the object; (b) recording with cameras images of the light pattern reflected by the outer surface during the relative movement; (c) processing the recorded reflection images by identifying the outline of the light pattern and determining from the outline characteristics of the outer surface; wherein the light pattern comprises at least one homogenously illuminated strip extending transversally to a direction of the relative movement with at least one border with a non-straight profile so as to form a non-constant width of the strip; and in step (c) the speed of the relative movement is taken into account for determining a three-dimensional definition of the outer surface.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A method for scanning an outer surface of a three-dimensional object, the outer surface being reflective, said method comprising the following steps: (a) projecting a light pattern on the object with a relative movement between the light pattern and the object; (b) recording with cameras images of the light pattern reflected by the outer surface during the relative movement; and (c) processing the recorded reflection images by identifying the outline of the light pattern and determining from the outline characteristics of the outer surface; wherein the light pattern comprises at least one homogenously illuminated strip extending transversally to a direction of the relative movement with at least one border with a non-straight profile so as to form a non-constant width of the strip; and wherein in step (c) the speed of the relative movement is taken into account for determining a three-dimensional definition of the outer surface.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the speed of the relative movement is at least one of determined, calibrated, checked and readjusted in step (c) by processing the recorded reflection images.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein step (b) comprises recording direct images of the light pattern.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the speed of the relative movement is at least one of determined, calibrated, checked and readjusted in step (c) by processing the recorded direct images.

25. The method according to claim 21, wherein in steps (a) and (b) the object is at standstill and the light pattern is moving.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the cameras in step (b) are immobile so as to record fixed portions of object respectively.

27. The method according to claim 21, wherein the light pattern is formed on an arch extending around the object, the light patterns being projected towards a center of the arch.

28. The method according to claim 21, wherein the light pattern comprises two of the at least one homogenously illuminated strip.

29. The method according to claim 21, wherein in step (c) determining a three-dimensional definition of the outer surface is based on displacement of at least one of the borders of the at least one homogeneously illuminated strip, correlated with the speed of the relative movement and variations of the width of the at least one homogeneously illuminated strip.

30. The method according to claim 21, wherein the non-straight profile of the at least one border of the at least one homogeneously illuminated strip is periodic.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein each period of the non-straight profile of the at least one border of the at least one homogeneously illuminated strip comprises an aperiodic sub-profile.

32. The method according to claim 30, wherein the number of periods is at least one of: greater than 2; and less than 10.

33. The method according to claim 21, wherein in step (c) local deformations of the outer surface are determined by detecting local variations of the non-straight profile of the at least one border of the at least one homogeneously illuminated strip.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the object is a vehicle with bodywork and the deformations are associated to hail damages to the bodywork.

35. A system for scanning an outer surface of a three-dimensional object, comprising: an illuminating device configured for producing a light pattern and for a movement of the light pattern relative to the object; a plurality of cameras configured for recoding images of the light pattern reflected by the outer surface during the relative movement; and a computing unit connected with the camera and configured for processing the recorded reflection images by identifying the outline of the light pattern and determining from the outline characteristics of the outer surface; wherein the light pattern comprises at least one homogenously illuminated strip extending transversally to a direction of the relative movement with at least one border with a non-straight profile so as to form a non-constant width of the strip; and wherein the computing unit is configured for carrying out a method comprising the following steps: (a) projecting a light pattern on the object with a relative movement between the light pattern and the object; (b) recording with cameras images of the light pattern reflected by the outer surface during the relative movement; (c) processing the recorded reflection images by identifying the outline of the light pattern and determining from the outline characteristics of the outer surface; wherein the light pattern comprises at least one homogenously illuminated strip extending transversally to a direction of the relative movement with at least one border with a non-straight profile so as to form a non-constant width of the strip; and wherein in step (c) the speed of the relative movement is taken into account for determining a three-dimensional definition of the outer surface.

36. The system according to claim 35, wherein the illuminating device forms an arch with a C-shape whose opening is oriented downwardly.

37. The system according to claim 35, further comprising two parallel and horizontal rails supporting the illuminating device movable in translation along the rails.

38. The system according to claim 37, further comprising two side frames supporting the two parallel and horizontal rails and the cameras.

39. The system according to claim 37, further comprising a motorization of the movement in translation of the illuminating device along the two parallel and horizontal rails, the motorization comprising an output configured to provide to the computing unit information about the speed of the relative movement.

40. The system according to claim 35, wherein the illuminating device comprises illuminating displays for producing the light pattern, the light pattern being adjustable by appropriate command of the illuminating displays.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for scanning an outer surface of a three-dimensional object, according to the invention.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a view of the roof of a vehicle onto which a light pattern is projected by the system of FIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates in a schematic way the reflection of the moving light pattern on the windshield of the vehicle.

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates in a schematic way how the coordinates of the outer surface of the objection can be determined by processing the recorded reflexion images, based on the speed of the relative movement between the light pattern and the object.

[0034] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate in a schematic way the influence of the inclination and curvature of a reflecting surface on the width of the reflected light pattern.

[0035] FIG. 7 illustrate the light pattern produced with the system of FIG. 1 into the vehicle, at a first position directly before the headlights and as second position on the bonnet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for scanning an outer surface of a three-dimensional object like the bodywork of a vehicle, according to the invention. The present invention involves reflectometry, meaning that any other object than a vehicle can be scanned provided that its outer surface is reflective, or at least partly reflective.

[0037] The system 2 comprises an arch 4 comprising a frame 4.1 and an illuminating device 4.2 arranged on the frame 4.1. The illuminating device 4.2 is arranged on an inner face of the frame 4.1 and is configured so as to emit a light pattern at least approximately toward a centre of the arch, where the object 6 to be scanned is located.

[0038] The light pattern emitted by the illuminating device 4.2 comprises for instance two illuminated strips 4.3 and 4.4 extending essentially in parallel along the arch 4. As this is apparent each of the two illuminated strips 4.3 and 4.4 shows opposed borders with non-straight profiles. These profiles can be periodic but comprise aperiodic non-straight sub-profiles in each period. The illuminating device 4.2 is configured to project onto the object 6 two strips of light corresponding to the illuminated strips 4.3 and 4.4 visible on the illuminating device. These projected illuminated strips are visible on the windshield 6.1 of the object being for instance a vehicle 6. The lower projected illuminated strip with the hatching inclined to the top right (i.e., ///) is formed by the illuminated strip 4.3 (with the same hatching) and the higher projected strip with the hatching inclined to the top left (i.e., \\\) is formed by the illuminated strip 4.4 (with the same hatching).

[0039] The device 2 is configured for operating a relative movement along the x longitudinal direction between the arch 4 and the object 6. To that end, the arch 4 is advantageously movable along the x direction so that the object 6 can remain immobile. For instance the arch 4 is supported by a translation unit 8 comprising two parallel longitudinal beams 8.1 and 8.2 located at distance from the ground so that the centre of gravity of the arch 4 is below the height of the beams 8.1 and 8.2. Two motorized trolleys 8.3 and 8.4 cooperate with the two beams 8.1 and 8.2, respectively, for carrying and translating the arch 4. The motorization of the trolleys is configured for achieving a constant translational speed of the arch. It is understood that other drive means can be considered such as driving belts, pinion and rack systems, etc.

[0040] The system 2 comprises a series of cameras 10 for recording images of the light pattern reflected by the outer surface of the object 6. The cameras are fixed, i.e., immobile, and connected to a computing unit 12. Each camera is selected, positioned and oriented for capturing images of a specific portion of the outer surface of the object 6. For instance at least 4 cameras are provided on each lateral side and at least 3 cameras are provided at the top. The number and arrangement of the cameras 10 depend on the shape and size of the object.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a detailed view from the top of the roof 6.2 of the vehicle 6, where the two light strips of the light pattern produced by the illuminating device 5.2 are visible. Side portions of the arch 4 are visible. It is however understood that the two illuminated strips on the roof 6.2 are produced by a top portion (not represented in FIG. 2) of the illuminating device on the arch 4.

[0042] In operation, the light pattern moves along the longitudinal direction while the arch 4 is moving. During that movement, each camera 10 sees a specific portion of the outer surface of the object and sees the light pattern moving along that portion. The recorded reflection images are transmitted to the computing unit which then runs an image processing to determine the outline of the light patterns, i.e., the front and rear borders of the illuminated strips. That determination can be easily made by detecting the contrast between the light pattern which is illuminated and the rest of the image which is comparatively dark. Once the outline and profile of these borders are determined, their displacement along the image correlated with the speed of the relative movement between the light pattern and the object enables to determine a three-dimensional definition of the outer surface. The principles underlying that determination are explained here below.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the windshield 6.2 of the vehicle 6, showing a light strip moving along the longitudinal direction (axis x) at a given speed. More specifically, two illuminated strips 4.4.sub.t and 4.4.sub.t+n are represented, one below 4.4.sub.t corresponding at a time t and one above 4.4.sub.t+n corresponding at a time t+n. An incident light ray forming the front border 4.4.1 of the light strip 4.4 is represented at the time t and the time t+n. This light ray is reflected towards one of the cameras 10. The moving incident light ray shows a constant orientation, meaning that detecting the displacement of its reflection while knowing the displacement speed of the incident light ray provides information about the position of the surface in the x-z plane. Considering that the incident light ray is vertical (along the z axis) and that the camera is looking at the windshield from above (as illustrated) if the windshield is steep (i.e., close to vertical), the distance between the reflected rays at the time t and t+n will be shorter than if the windshield is flat (i.e., close to horizontal).

[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates the influence of the curvature of a reflection surface on the image reflected by the surface. The surface can be the one of the windshield 6.2 for illustrative purposes, being understood that this applies to any other types of surface of the object. For comparison purposes, two portions of surface are represented, i.e., a curved one 6.2 in continuous line and a straight one in dashed line, both passing at the points A and B. Two parallel incident light rays are represented, one incident on point A at a time t and one incident on point B at a time t+n. The reflected rays at these points will however show different orientations depending on the curvature of the surface. The straight profile (dashed line) of the surface will show a distance D at a given capturing plane whereas the curved profile will show a larger distance D at the same plane. This is typically what happens when someone sees his reflection in a concave or convex mirror compared with a plan mirror. Therefore, knowing the speed of displacement of the incident light ray between the times t and t+n, the curvature of the surface at the points A and B and the displacement of the reflected ray, by means the camera, enables to determine coordinates X.sub.AB and Z.sub.AB between the two points A and B.

[0045] The local curvature of the surface can be determined by monitoring the width variations of the illuminated strip while it moves along the surface. For a given general inclination of a surface relative to the incident light pattern, a convex surface will show a larger width of the light pattern while a convex surface will show a narrower width of the light pattern.

[0046] The above consideration is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 shows two vertical incident light rays delimiting the front and rear borders of one of the illuminated strips 4.3 and 4.4. These rays are incident on a convex surface reflecting the illuminated strip with a larger width. FIG. 6 shows, similarly to FIG. 5, two vertical incident light rays delimiting the front and rear borders of one of the illuminated strips 4.3 and 4.4, impinging on a convex surface, showing a same average inclination as the one in FIG. 5. The illuminated strip reflected on a same plane shows a narrower width as in FIG. 5. This means that monitoring the width variation of the light pattern while it is moving along the surface provides accurate information about the inclination and curvature of the surface.

[0047] FIG. 7 shows the light pattern at two different positions, i.e., two different points in time, e.g., t and t+n, on the font part of the vehicle 6. The light pattern at the time t shows two narrow illuminated strips 4.3 and 4.4, essentially because the surface on which the light pattern is projected is inclined relative to the projection direction, whereas the light pattern at the time t shows two wider illuminated strips 4.3 and 4.4, essentially because the surface on which the light pattern is projected is less inclined, for instance nearly perpendicular to the projection direction.

[0048] The non-straight profile of the front and rear borders of the illuminated strips forms a kind of signature, known from the computing unit, allowing to apply the same principle as explained above in a transversal direction, i.e., in the y direction. Said differently, in the recorded reflection images of the light patterns, any point of its outline, for instance on the front and rear borders, can be identified, meaning that this point will move not only longitudinally, i.e., along the x direction, but potentially also transversally, i.e., along the y direction, depending on the transversal curvature and inclination of the surface from which this point originates. Transversal extensions or contractions of the light pattern provide information about the transversal curvature and inclination of the surface.

[0049] The transversal non-straight profile of the light pattern must not periodic. A periodic profile simplifies the parametrization of the computing unit, for the definition of the profile requires only a portion therefore to be properly parametrized, the rest being obtained by replication. The number of periods for is greater than 2 and/or less then 10.

[0050] The use of several illuminated strips in the light pattern provides some redundancy useful for correction potential errors or inaccuracies.

[0051] The speed of the relative movement between the light pattern and the object can be obtained from the translation unit. If can also be obtained, calibrated, corrected and/or confirmed, by detecting the moving speed of the reflected light pattern captured by the cameras. However, in to avoid any influence of the surface of the object, the speed of the light pattern can be determined by computing the moving speed of the light pattern captured directed by the cameras, i.e., without reflection on the surface of the object. The cameras can indeed be positioned and arranged such that at any moment of the relative movement between the light pattern and the object, at least one camera, in various instances at least two cameras see directly a portion of the light pattern. The computing unit can then be setup to process the images so as to successively collect information about the relative speed from different cameras. The angle between the optical axis of each of these cameras and the movement direction can be determined for all positions of the light patterns so as to determine correct values of the speed of the relative movement.

[0052] The computing unit can also be setup for detecting local deformations of the outer surface of the object, for instance hail damages on the bodywork of a vehicle, by analysing the local distortions of the outline of the light pattern, for instance local deformations of the front and/or rear borders of the illuminated strips, these distortions corresponding to the slope of the surface where it is deformed.

[0053] However the above described process and system according to the present invention readily provide such information by determining a three-dimensional definition of the outer surface of the object, including the local deformation such as those resulting from hail damages on a bodywork of a vehicle.